"Reiksguard Knights, your Emperor is calling! Death or glory await us, but if we die, we will die as warriors, with swords in hand, and there can be no better death than that."
- —Kurt Helborg, The Reiksmarshal.[1a]
The Grand Order of the Reiksguard Knights, formerly known as the Reiklanderguard[6], and usually simply referred to as the Reiksguard, are a secular order of Imperial knights created and sworn to the protection of Reikland's royal bloodline. The Reiksguard Order comprises an elite core of well-trained and well-equipped heavy cavalry and heavy infantry loyal to the reigning Emperor of Man who fight on his behalf.[1a][2a]
Being the best troops available to the emperor, Reiksguard knights form the bulk of the Imperial household guard with duties in the battlefield as well as in social and political affairs. It is not uncommon for the emperor, however, to attach a unit of Reiksguard knights to the armies of other Elector Counts, if the situation requires their considerable martial prowess. In doing so, the emperor is essentially lending the Elector Count his personal support -- or he could just be making sure that any unstable Elector Counts that could threaten the Empire's stability are closely monitored.[1a][2a]
This relatively young order was first founded during the reign of Count Wilhelm III, who established the current Reikland lineage of the emperors. The first of the Reiksguard knights swore the greatest of oaths -- to give their lives in defence of the emperor from any and all dangers as they believe him to be the living incarnation of Sigmar himself.[1a]
Over the decades, Reiksguard knights have forged a legendary reputation on the battlefield; they often charged into the fray against opponents that would see other warriors flee in terror. Time and again, their unmatched bravery has brought the Empire great yet bloody victories, such that their very name -- "Reiksguard" -- has become synonymous with feats of selfless heroism throughout the Empire.[1a]
History[]
Initiation[]
"Every man here is loyal to the Holswig-Schliestein family, my prince. We'd follow you to the Realm of Chaos."
- —Reiksmarshal Helborg.[4]
The ranks of the Reiksguard are open to all men of noble birth,[Note 1] regardless of what city or state they originally hail from,[1a][2a] although a disproportionate number of recruits hail from Reikland and Altdorf.[3] Provided they can prove their loyalty to the Emperor, and their feats of martial prowess meet the stern expectations of the Reiksmarshal, any warrior can hope to join this illustrious brotherhood if they so chooses. This is considered a great military and social honour amongst the nobility of the Empire, and there is no shortage of applicants that are eager to seek both fame and glory for him and his household. The Reiksguard can therefore maintain the highest standards amongst the many Knightly Orders and includes the very best warriors from all the Empire's provinces. The ranks of the Reiksguard include the heirs to many of the wealthiest and most powerful noble houses in the Empire, including the sons of several Elector Counts.[1a][2b]
The training retinue for new Reiksguard knights is an arduous process that takes many months.[2b] During their training, the novices are trained and tested in three disciplines: strength of mind, strength of body, and strength of spirit. Following this period of training, the novices take part in a vigil. The night before the vigil is spent praying and being prayed over– a ritual that is reputed to be an exorcism in case any demons are hiding in the novices. The actual vigil begins at dusk the next night. There, the novices are first questioned by brothers of the Reiksguard. They spend the remainder of the night praying. At dawn, they are ceremonially inducted into the Reiksguard in front of all the other brothers present at the Chapter House. At this time, the novices also take their oath.[3]
The novice's training culminates in the glamorous, if deadly, Emperor’s Tournament. This event occurs every year in Altdorf during the spring festivals, where a newly knighted member is given a mission by the Reiksmarshal to accomplish as his first line of duty into the brotherhood. This could be a political task or attachment to a formation that marches to war under the command of an Elector Count.[2b] However, the most common assignment for a newly-minted knight is to guard the Imperial Palace. This is because this job actually consists less of fighting, and more of telling nobles that they cannot see the Emperor.[3]
Although it's not technically part of the initiation process, a Reiksguard knight's first monthly inspection is also considered a milestone on their journey from novice to fully-fledged knight. New knights are given special attention at inspections.[3]
Duties[]
Although few in number, the knights of the Reiksguard are the most important part of the Emperor's army, for they are a symbol of the Empire's nobility and martial might made manifest. As such, when a unit of Reiksguard Knights takes to battle, it will typically form up proudly in the centre of the Empire battle line, the better to inspire the common soldiery and reassure them that the blessings of the Emperor is with them. Imperial history is rich with records of decisive battles won by a timely charge of the Reiksguard, and the halls of their barracks are hung with countless trophies and enemy banners won on the field of war. Despite the potential power and influence that such a reputation offers, the Reiksguard have always put loyalty towards the Emperor first and foremost amongst their duties.[1a]
In times of war, they take to the field alongside their Emperor, forming an elite unit at the core of the Imperial armies. They are also responsible for the security of all palaces and castles belonging to the Imperial family, including their main headquarter at Castle Reikguard. Individual squadrons of Reiksguard Knights are commanded by a noblemen, and are generally recruited from the same home province. This has lead however, to a great rivalry between the cavalry squadrons of various nobles, a circumstance that stems from the great diversity of people that forms the bulk of the Reiksguard. Being a highly celebrated and often loved Order of Knights, when a dashing young Reiksguard Knight returns to his home town on leave from his duties, he is often greeted by a crowd of cheering citizens, and riotous celebrations carry on long into the night for the amount of honour his presence brings to the otherwise unknown village.
When they accompany the Emperor on his many ceremonial demonstrations, they might often add to the splendour and magnificence of the occasion by further polishing and painting their otherwise already fabulous and expensive armour. During the annual Imperial tournament however, individual Reiksguard Knights would compete against each other for the honour of being closest to the Emperor, a position that is highly sought after by the more glory-hungry members of the Order. These events are a major highlight of the year, often attracting citizens from all over the Empire and beyond into the city, creating a large influx of revenue that helps provide the funds for their Knighthood.
Knights of the Reiksguard are subject to monthly inspections to make sure that each squadron is fully manned, and their arms and armor are in good condition. These inspections are typically performed by the Reiksmarshal, or occasionally the Emperor himself.[3]
Wargear[]
As befits to their prestigious role and elite status, the knights of the Reiksguard are equipped with the very finest weapons and suits of armour available to them by the expenses of the Emperor and the Provincial Army. They ride massive warhorses to battle and adorned suits of gleaming dwarf forged Full Plate Armour in which are emblazoned with symbols of allegiance to the Emperor and his noble family. Due to their duties to the Emperor, the Reiksguard Order is mostly barracked in the comparative comfort of Altdorf, but they also maintain battle-ready fortresses scattered throughout the whole of the Empire, the most prominent of which is Castle Reiksguard.[1a][2a]
The Reiksguard colours are red and white, and their heraldry includes traditional symbols of the Imperial office – the crowned skull, laurel leaves, and the Imperial Cross.[2a]
Organisation[]
The Order of the Reiksguard is divided into large groups of knights called "banners." Each banner is commanded by a "preceptor," also known as a "reikscaptain." Banners are further divided into "squadrons." Each squadron has a standard bearer.[1][3]
Members of the Reiksguard who are no longer able to fight may become "sergeants." The duties of the sergeants include staffing the chapter house and serving as trainers for the order's novices. They also accompany the knights on campaign, cooking for them, standing sentry at night, and caring for the wounded.[3]
The Reiksguard is led currently by Kurt Helborg, the order's eighth Grand Master. The Reiksguard Inner Circle serve as his personal champions and bodyguards.[3][5]
In battle the Reiksguard favour fighting in large regiments, the better to cow the enemy with the full splendour of their mirrored plate armour and crimson plumes. Imperial history is full of references to great battles won by the "Reiksguard Knights," or a stalwart defense by the "Reiksguard Foot." Despite the potential power and influence of such a reputation, the Reiksguard remains ever apolitical, loyal always to the reigning Emperor of Man -- a stance that has in the past set them at odds with more transient knightly orders.[8a]
The Reiksguard also maintain a spy ring called "The Hidden Banner" which is charged with countering political threats to Imperial unity. It is preoccupied in particular by religious extremists, secessionist movements, and tensions between the Elector Counts. The group seems to be run by one Master Lehrer, the resident scholar at the Reiksguard chapter house and, apparently, the order's spymaster.[7a]
Known Reiksguard Regiments[]
- Zintler's Reiksguard - This elite division of Reiksguard stood out even among their peers. They were named after their captain Hans Zintler.
- Reiksguard Inner Circle - The absolute best of the best, these twenty men were equal to a full regiment of state troops in terms of influence on the battlefield.
Canon Conflict[]
The video game Warhammer: Mark of Chaos and its expansion Warhammer: Battle March contradicts the established lore concerning the founding of the Knightly Order. The armybooks all state that the Reiksguard Knights was founded during the reign of Wilhelm the Wise in 2429 IC, but the video game Mark of Chaos has units of Reiksguard, known in the game as Reiklanderguard, available for recruitment, despite the game taking place in 2304 IC, more than 100 years earlier. Perhaps the Reiklanderguard were the original ancestor order of the Reiksguard Knights before their official founding in 2429 IC, but this is all speculation.
Trivia[]
- To represent their elite status on Tabletop, Reiksguard Knights received similar statlines to the Inner Circle Knights of lesser Knightly Orders.
Notes[]
- Note 1: According to the novel Reiksguard, the Reiksguard is only open to the eldest sons of the nobility.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 44
- 2: Warhammer: Uniform and Heraldry of the Empire
- 3: Reiksguard (Novel) by Richard Williams
- 4: The Prince of Altdorf (Short Story) by Andy Hall
- 5: The End Times Vol I: Nagash
- 5a: pg. 300
- 6: Warhammer: Mark of Chaos (Videogame)
- 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf - Crown of the Empire (RPG)
- 7a: pg. 210
- 8: White Dwarf 310 (UK)
- 8a: pg. 120